At the risk of being trite, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and there’s no shame in looking up the most romantic restaurants in Rome. We at ROMAC have our list of what we think makes a setting romantic, and it’s probably pretty universal. We look for some soft lighting in a comfortable interior, beautifully presented plates that are just as delicious as they are aesthetically pleasing. To be honest, restaurant service anywhere you dine in Rome can be pretty hit or miss, but our recommendations include service as a key characteristic that makes them our favorite choices.
At all of the restaurants mentioned below, we suggest making reservations as far in advance as possible! If you’re looking for an ultra-fine dining experience at one of Rome’s Michelin-starred restaurants, check out our other post dedicated to fine dining restaurants in Rome.
Buon appetito!
1. Retrobottega
Just north of Piazza Navona, Retrobottega is a chic, small plates restaurant that features rigorously local, seasonal dishes invented by the chef. The sleek interior is dimly lit and features both a bar set up with tasting menu or tall social tables that, while you are technically sharing with other guests, don’t feel very much like you’re all dining together.
Via della Stelletta, 4 | Website
2. Il San Lorenzo
Considered one of the best fish restaurants in Rome, Il San Lorenzo features fresh local (and non) fish prepared in a fine dining environment. Tucked away on a small street near Campo de’ Fiori, the price point is higher than many others on this list but the prices reflect acceptable market prices for the quality of the local, caught fish. Il San Lorenzo also boasts an extensive wine list and the sommelier is available to assist in selecting the most appropriate wine to pair with your dinner.
Via dei Chiavari, 4/5 | Website
3. Marigold
If there ever was a place that perfected unflashy elegance, Marigold would be it. Chef and baker duo Sofie and Domenico have created a special place in Rome after years of hosting a bi-monthly pop-up restaurant in their home. On Friday and Saturday nights the breakfast-lunch-brunch place transforms into a cosy, refined dinner spot with a menu that changes weekly depending on the imagination of Chef Domenico, the seasonal vegetables he finds, and the strictly organic meat and game he sources from a farm in Tuscany. Dishes on the dinner menu are meant to be shared so that guests can try more things. Don’t forget to order some of Sofie’s sourdough bread and homemade fermented-kefir butter. And save room for dessert. You’ll thank us later.
Via Giovanni da Empoli, 37 | Website
4. Clotilde
Clotilde is a fashionable spot located behind Piazza Navona on a bustling street, Via della Scrofa. The vintage exterior conceals a modern interior that’s illuminated by elegant pin lights and elegant grazing lamps that highlight the antique brick walls. Velvet sofas and marble top tables give glamour to the interior and set the stage for an innovative menu featuring Roman pastas, fine cuts of beef and fish, and decadent desserts. The cocktail at the entrance of the restaurant mixes up classic and signature cocktails for a perfect pre-dinner spritz or aperitivo.
Piazza Cardelli, 5a/5b | Website
5. Zia
Trastevere is unfortunately cluttered with touristy restaurants (check out our post on where to eat in Trastevere to avoid them!), but one new spot has captured our attention. Zia was opened by two young, passionate Roman foodies who are using their millennial energy to create dishes using traditional and seasonal ingredients with their own twist. Their small but mighty menu features a list of pastas and meat dishes, or choose the tasting menu to allow them to take you on a ride.
Via Goffredo Mameli, 45 | Website
6. Casa Coppelle
Casa Coppelle is located in the charming Piazza delle Coppelle near the Pantheon that hosts a fresh vegetables market several times a week. The interior is decked out in rich fabrics and baroque-style decorations: lavish designs and plush banquets along the wall. The celebrated cocktail menu hosts a competent mixologist behind the bar to prepare your favorite classic cocktail or leave him to craft one of their signature drinks for you. The menu infuses French technique into dishes composed of fresh, local ingredients – many of which are sourced from the daily market that takes place just outside their door in the piazza.
Piazza delle Coppelle, 49 | Website
7. Antico Arco
Situated on the Janiculum Hill, Antico Arco features “Italian Haute Cuisine” merging innovative technique with both common and rare ingredients to create an elevated dining experience. Antico Arco is the restaurant you visit when you’re in the mood to be wowed, especially on a special occasion. The price point reflects the labor intensive techniques the kitchen employs to curate the menu and experience.
Piazzale Aurelio 7 | Website
How about a romantic dinner at home?
Entering AP46 Trinity is a feast for the eyes!
The Chef@Home experience by ROMAC brings the convenience of a restaurant to your vacation rental by arranging a private chef to do all the prep and cooking for you! Enjoy a full Roman dinner, featuring an antipasto, pasta, meat (or vegetarian) entreè and dessert prepared by a Roman chef in comfort of your own home. Take advantage of the experience as a cooking lesson, or arrange for the dinner to be ready and waiting for you at a specific time!
For more information related to Chef@Home, contact ROMAC.
What is your favorite romantic restaurant in Rome? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
